Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen says he never meant anyone to hear him call John Key a "rich prick".
Cullen made the jibe in parliament when then National leader Key referred to Labour MP Darren Hughes as the son Helen Clark never had. The previous night Key had bought Cullen's wife Anne Collins into the debate.
In New Zealand family members are generally left out of politics.
Cullen told the Sunday Star Times that he did not intend anyone to hear his rich prick remark, "it was under voice", but he was angry over Key's breach of protocol.
"There are lines you don't cross," he says.
Asked if he intends to apologise Cullen said "Let's wait and see".
Cullen also told the newspaper he regretted that Labour was unable to form a consensus over the seabed and foreshore issue.
"It was very difficult to be the focus of that much resentment and feeling of betrayal form Maori. It was something that got right to my core as a liberal Pakeha."
Cullen says something had to be done or public access to seafronts could have been blocked but National played the race card making it impossible to reach a consensus.
